In our chapter on civic culture, we explain that religion has left its mark on most American policy issues. The environment is no exception, as we see in a recent report by the President's Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Community Partnerships:
In order to actualize the potential of faith-based and community groups and their networks across the country toward greening and retrofitting buildings, and other key environmental outcomes, the Council recommends that an Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships be formed at the EPA. We further recommend that the EPA assign or hire Faith- and Community-Based Liaisons at all of their regional offices.There is a new and unprecedented wave of interest in the environmental sustainability and climate change among America’s diverse religious communities and in neighborhoods across the country.Faith- and other community-based nonprofit institutions are in the unique position of serving as visible examples to the community. Houses of worship can exert a powerful influence when they practice good energy stewardship and preaches and teaches about conservation as a moral value, it has a powerful influence.
